January 2012 - Bethlehem Special Olympics

Volume 4, Issue 1
S
W
E
N
S
T
R
O
P
S
O
BS
Bethlehem Special Olympics Newsletter
Jan 2012
Bethlehem Special Olympics
PO Box 536
Bethlehem, PA 18016-0536
Phone: 610-264-3616
www.bethlehemsopa.org
Inside this issue:
Holiday Party
1
Roller Skating News
1
Roller Skating Fun Night
2
Air Tran Prize Winners
2
GLV ADA Foundation Grant
2
SOPA Leadership Awards
3
BSO Thank You’s
4-5
Training Schedule
6
Upcoming Events
7
Allen Rutan Eagle Scout
7
BSO Management Team
7
Friends...Fun…Food
at the Christmas Party!
How much fun can be packed into 3 hours? Well, at
the BSO Christmas party on December 10th, the
amount of fun was amazing. Everything about the
event was wonderful. The colorful decorations. The
fantastic food including turkey, ham, salad, mashed potatoes, corn, sweet
potatoes, stuffing , cake and cookies. And to work off that food there was
plenty of dancing with the Electric Slide, Cuban slide, and Cha Cha. There
were smiles and laughing all night. Alice Moat, Manger BSO, commented
that one person said it is the best Christmas Party she goes to and she loves
being there.
Thanks to all the party volunteers for the planning,
decorating, cooking and clean-up. You make this all possible.
Both speed skating and artistic skating are being added
to the sports program. Practices will start in the Spring at least
once a month, but will be more frequent in the Summer and early
Fall. State competition is at Fall Fest at Villanova. Anyone interested
should contact Kim or Brian Van Buskirk at 484-646-9604.
Remember to check the BSO website often for updates:
www.bethlehemsopa.org
Special Olympics
Roller Skating Fun Night
Open to all Lehigh and Bethlehem athletes,
their families and volunteers
* Athletes must have a current AFP “medical form” on file in order to skate
Saturday, January 14th, 2012
4:00 - 6:30 pm
Rollermotion Skating Rink in Trexlertown
Free admission and skate rental
Learn about the new rolling skating sports that will be added to the Fall program
Meet & greet the coaching staff.
Exhibitions by National Champions in both artistic and speed events!
For more information contact: Kim or Brian VanBuskirk @ 484-646-9604
CONGRATULATIONS to Jess Kocher
Winner of the drawing for 2 Air Tran tickets.
Many thanks to all who participated in this drawing.
Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Foundations Awards
Transportation Grant to BSO
At a breakfast awards held at NACC's Alumni Hall, Deborah Kocher, Treasurer of Bethlehem
Special Olympics received a grant for transportation from Andy Scott, Scott Chevrolet,
representative for the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Foundation. Out of approximately 60
applicants, Bethlehem Special Olympics was one of 13 non-profit organizations to be awarded a
grant by this organization for the 2011-2012 year. Knowing the tremendous increase in costs
associated with BSO's transportation expenses, the athletes and management team are greatly
appreciative of the generosity shown by the Greater Lehigh Valley Auto Dealers Foundation.
Please support their organization by keeping in mind our greater Lehigh Valley area automobile
dealers the next time you are in the market for a new, or used, vehicle!
BSO Management Team Members Recognized
at SOPA Leadership Conference
Members of the BSO Management Team were recognized for their significant contributions
at the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Leadership Conference held December 3-4. Three
awards were presented to members of the Bethlehem Special Olympics organization to
recognize their outstanding work during the year. Steve Kucey received the Athlete
Leadership award for his contributions. Steve, in addition
to being an longtime athlete, is the Athlete Representative
on the Management Team. He leads the Athlete Advisory
Council to represent the athletes and ensure that their
collective wishes are known to the Management
Team. The Management Team Member of the Year award
was presented to Bethlehem's Deborah Kocher. Deborah
was selected from nominees from the over 50 local groups
within Pennsylvania. In addition to being the organizations Treasurer, she was instrumental in the success of
numerous events during the year. Sometimes it is a family
effort that is recognized. That was the case for the
Talavera Family. The significant contributions of parents
Maria and Jose along with their daughter Neici, who
coaches volleyball and our new bocce program, and
their BSO athlete daughter Joni, were recognized with the
Family of the Year Award. In the acceptance speech, coach
Neici quipped that she is already training the “next
generation” to volunteer – her daughter Nyela was a
runner at last year’s gymnastics competition at Parkettes!
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO BSO’S
2011 CONTRIBUTING ANGELS
A & H Sporting Goods
AACA Car Club
Air Products
Air Tran
All American Graphics
Ameriprise Financials
Denise Anderson/ScentSations
/Mia Bella Candles
Anonymous Donors
Applebee’s Restaurant
Banko Beverage
Rodney Baron
Berks Gymnastic Team
Bethlehem Area School District
Bethlehem Catholic High
School Volunteers
Bethlehem, City of
Bethlehem Golf Club
Bethlehem Morning Star Rotary Club
Bethlehem Special Olympics
Athletes,
Coaches,
Management Team,
& Volunteers
Betty’s
BJ’ss
Mr. & Mrs. Blazure
Bon-Ton
Boscovs Palmer
Brown Daub Kia
Butter Krust Bakery/Sara Lee
Amy Carlin
CD Marcon
Chick-fil-A
Nick Clater/Tastefully Simple
Clients First Business Solutions
Theresa Cosgrove/Sassy Accessories
Crayola-Binney & Smith
Darryl Dawkins
Elizabeth Dellers, MD
Michael DiPaolo Remodeling
Mary Alice Fassl Photography
Anne W. Fiore
Five Below
Linny Fowler
Freedom High School Volunteers
Freemansburg Borough
Freemansburg Park and Recreation
Gary Z Productions
Gerhart
Giant Food Stores
The Goose (Goosey Gander)
Greater Lehigh Valley
Auto Dealers Association
Ann Groller/Tupperware
Hanover Twsp. Community Center
Hatfield Quality Meats
Sharon Heminitz
Holiday Hair
Brenda Hutnik
Ichiban Japanese Steak House
Iron Pigs Charities
Jack Creek Steak House
Christina Jagielski
Just Born Candies
Maureen King/Kings Kake Truffles
Elizabeth Kransy/Pampered Chef
Tonya Klemmer/Arbonne Swiss
Skin Care & Initials Inc
Knights of Columbus
Trinity Council #313
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Kocher
Kohl’s Trexlertown
Mr & Mrs Konrad
Mr & Mrs Kovach
Dennis Krause, Sr. Sound Surge DJ
Kristen Laga/Cookie Lee Jewelry
Legacy Computer Repair
Lehigh Valley Academy
Leiser’s Sales & Rental
Liberty High School Volunteers
Lusitania Bakery
James & Cindi Lutz
Magic Mike
Gene Mater
Bob Mauer
Memorial Contributions
Marion & Kyle Miller
Miller Blood Bank
The Mint
Morning Call
Mr. Bill
MIZ’s Concessions
NCACC
Parkettes, Bill & Donna Strauss
Ptarmigan Ski Club
Tina Rinkus/At Home America
RMG Insurance
Saucon Valley Farmers Market
Angie Schaffer/Biltmore Inspirations
Dennis Shive
Victoria Sinsky/Amway
Isaiah Slonaker family
St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Steel Ice Center
Steel Stacks
Stefano’s Restaurant
Stefano’s Sicilian Grille
Jennifer Stone/Persnickety
Cleaning Service
Subway Sandwiches
Jamie Sutch/Scentsy
Swimoutlet
Tanczos Beverages
Tastykake-Dave Stout
TD Bank
Paula Thibault
Town & Country Bowling Lanes
Timothy Tulio
Tulum Tacos-Beth-Mex Burritos
Twin City Powerlifting Club
United Way Donor Option Contributors
Valley Farm Market
Vallos Bakery
Via
Vitale General Contracting
Waitz Corporation
Wegman’s
Lee Weidner
Chad Weiner
Weis Markets
Jacqueline Werkheiser/Avon and
Noah’s Ark
Pattie Werner
Westgate Mall
Mr. & Mrs. Whildin
Yocco’s
Mr & Mrs. Brooks Zug
We have tried to include everyone but our sincere apologies if your name was missed.
SPORTS TRAINING SCHEDULE
Start Dates, Times, Locations subject to change. Please contact coach to confirm your
participation and that the information has not changed prior to listed start date.
AQUATICS
POWERLIFTING
Liberty High School Pool
1115 Linden Street, Beth
Freedom High School
Weightroom
3149 Chester Avenue, Beth.
Tuesdays Jan 10 through June
ROOKIES 6:00 - 7:00 PM
ADVANCED 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Coach Jeanie Earich (610) 865-0876
Coach Fred Knauss (610) 264-0237
Tuesdays through May 12
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Coach Nick Theodorou (610) 258-1894
RYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
Asa Packer School
1650 Kenwood Drive, Beth.
Parkettes Center
401 Martin Luther King Drive,
Allentown
Wednesdays 6:30 - 8:00 PM through June
Coach Rose Ann Reiss (610) 703-6136
Thursdays, Jan 12 through June
7:30 - 8:30 PM
Coach Bob Berni (484) 400-3155
SOFTBALL
GOLF
Nitschmann Middle School,
909 West Union Boulevard, Beth.
Bethlehem Executive 9 Hole
Course
400 Illicks Mill Road, Beth.
Starting in early February
Co-coaches Jorge Cancel and Hilda Cerrato
hildacerrato@hotmail.com
(484) 478-2203
Starts Sunday, April 1, 2:00 PM (weather
permitting). Practice Sundays at 2:00 PM
and Wednesdays at 5:00 PM
Coach Ron Lewis (610) 759-6837
BOWLING
BASKETBALL
Town and Country Lanes
1770 Stefko Blvd. Beth.
Northeast Middle School
1170 Fernwood Street, Beth.
Starts Jan 16th
Coach Sue Reddinger (484) 554-1191
Starts Jan 23rd
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Coach Bonne Kuronya (610) 861-7347
♦ Figure Skating – Contact Jose Talavera if interested at (610) 248-0444
♦ Downhill Skiing on Wednesdays with Lehigh County – contact Bob Berni (484)400-3155 if interested
♦ Roller Skating – practice dates to be announced – contact Kim VanBuskirk if interested (484) 646-3604
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sat, Jan 14
Roller Skating Party
4:00 - 6:30 PM
Rollermotion Skating Rink
Trexeltown
Highest Honor for Allen Rutan
Congratulations to BSO gymnastics athlete Allen Rutan for earning his
Eagle Award, the highest honor in Boy Scouting. Allen’s project was
helping to build hay racks for horses at Equilibrium, a non-profit
therapeutic riding organization.
BSO Management Team
Name
Position
Phone
Email
Alice Moat
Manager
610-366-1583 or
610-264-3616
manager@BethlehemSOPA.org
Ashley Amato
Asst. Manager
484-903-7185
Amato6139@live.com
Rose Ann Reiss
Secretary
610-703-6136
parenttoparent@aol.com
Deb Kocher
Treasurer
484-225-3300
treasurer@BethlehemSOPA.org
Bob Berni
Training Coordinator
610-346-6257
Bob12956b@yahoo.com
Jose Talavera
Competition Coordinator
610-248-0444
Josetalav1@verizon.net
Steven Kucey
Athlete Representative
610-533-9677
Barbara Bonner
Athlete Registration
Coordinator
610-681-8696 or
Mark Cole
PR Coordinator
610-597-2237
mjcole@rcn.com
Bonnie Kuronya
Database Coordinator
610-861-7347
Bonnknee1@verizon.net
Maria Talavera
Family Coordinator
610-866-0127
Kate Young-DiPaolo
Fundraising
610-691-8866
katedipaolo@yahoo.com
Louise Tusak
Special Events
610-865-7730
pingirons@verizon.net
Barry Gaal
Facilities Coordinator
610-868-2148
brgaal@verizon.net
Bob Sehee
Volunteer Coordinator
610-419-3285
volunteers@BethlehemSOPA.org
*** OPEN ***
Outreach Coordinator
215-353-0159
b.bonner@att.net
Come be part of a GREAT team!
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Lehigh Valley, PA 18002-9652
PERMIT NO 492
PO Box 536
Bethlehem, PA 18016
MAIL TO:
ympics
Bethlehem Special Ol
PO Box 536
6-0536
Bethlehem, PA 1801
SPECIAL OLYMPICS OATH
Let me win, but if I cannot win,
Let me be brave in the attempt!
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
The mission of Special Olym
pics is to
provide year round sports
training and
athletic competition in a va
riety of
Olympic-type sports for ch
ildren and
adults with intellectual dis
abilities, giving
them continuing opportunitie
s to develop
physical fitness, demonstra
te courage,
experience joy, and partici
pate in a
sharing of gifts, skills and
friendship
with their families, other
Special
Olympics athletes and the
community.
Created by The Joseph P. Ken
nedy, Jr. Foundation.
Authorized and Accredited by
Special Olympics Internation
al for
the Benefit of Citizens with Inte
llectual Disabilities